Environmental expert warns against deforestation in South Sudan

JUBA – A South Sudanese environmental expert on Wednesday urged the government to take stronger action against the illegal felling of trees, warning that deforestation is having a severe negative impact on the environment.

Speaking to Sudans Post in Juba, Garang Maguet Garang, founder of Greening South Sudan, an environmental advocacy group, highlighted the growing threats to the country’s forests, particularly the unsustainable harvesting of teak trees.

“There are significant threats to our trees, especially teak. People are cutting down teak without replanting them, and that is where my concern lies,” Maguet said.

The warning comes just a week after Sudans Post published a groundbreaking investigative report that shed light on the illegal activities threatening South Sudan’s precious forests.

The report, which used the Upper Nile State as a role model, detailed how rampant deforestation, illegal logging, and land grabbing are contributing to the destruction of the country’s natural resources.

Maguet emphasized the crucial role trees play in supporting human survival and mitigating the effects of climate change.

“The government needs to focus on protecting our indigenous trees. People are depleting them without replacing them, which could lead to the loss of certain species. Over time, some of these species may become extinct,” he warned.

“The impact on the environment is severe—many of our trees are at risk of extinction. This has both environmental and community repercussions.”

Maguet urged residents to embrace tree-planting initiatives as a strategy to combat climate change.

“People living near forests are no longer able to harvest resources like natural honey from the trees because the bees rely on pollen from those trees to produce honey,” he explained. “With the continued deforestation, the life cycle of these ecosystems is being disrupted, resulting in reduced honey production in some areas.”

He also pointed out the broader environmental consequences of deforestation.

“The degradation of soil, with topsoil being exposed, leads to gully erosion that washes away fertile land, which can severely impact farming in areas adjacent to forests,” Maguet said.

Maguet called on the government to increase public awareness about the dangers of environmental degradation.

“We need to create awareness about the risks of cutting down trees, particularly in regions like Magwi in Eastern Equatoria, where deforestation is rampant, especially of teak trees. Raising awareness is crucial to preventing further environmental damage,” he said.